[PREV - MORE_OR_LESS]    [TOP]

OPTIONS_ARENT

                                           February 6, 2005


Shutting off an optional
feature is not the same as not
having the feature.

E.g. why worry about the privacy
implications of cameras mounted
on your phone or computer?  You can
always shut them off if you want,
can't you?

   But if you do shut it off,
   people will know you've shut
   it off.

   The question "What is this guy hiding?"
   may be running through their heads.

     The question "Are they thinking
     'what is this guy hiding?'" may be
     running through your head.


The presence of the option changes
the landscape, in ways that aren't
even all that subtle.


            You would think it would be
            an obvious point by now, but
            many people still don't get it.

            There's always:
                           
               The need to believe that   
               technology must be neutral.    NEUTRAL
                                          
               The need for simplicity?   

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